The security forces on Sunday arrested a terrorist of the radical Islamist group Ansar-Gazwat-ul-Hind, led by Zakir Musa, and recovered ammunition and material, which could have been used for making explosive devices. This is a mighty blow to the radical group that has been trying to expand its footprint outside Kashmir.

"Irfan Ahamd Dar of Samboora, Pulwama was arrested, along with ammunition used to make improvised explosive devices, by a joint team of 50 Rashtriya Rifles and special operations group of Awantipora. Irfan is the brother of an active militant named Shabir Ahmad, who is very active in the Zakir Musa group," sources said.

The sources added that the troops raided Shabir's house after receiving specific intelligence about the house where ammunition and other equipment were being stored by terrorists of the Musa group.

Irfan was supposed to plant the IEDs to target Army convoys moving through the national highway near Pulwama and cause serious damage to the forces, but was apprehended before he could implement his plans.

In the recent past, intelligence agencies had warned that Musa aka Zakir Rashid Bhatt was planning a fidayeen attack on police personnel deployed in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Musa has been sending recruits to the Jammu and Kashmir region to prepare for the attack. Aided by his deputy Rehan, Musa has been preparing to launch fidayeen attacks targeting police personnel using fresh recruits.